Figurative. 1. Ministers are called beasts (Rev. iv:v:vi), but the word ought in all these passages to be rendered living creatures, as in Ezek. i.
2. Saints compare themselves to beasts because of their sinful vileness, ignorance, stupidity, un ruliness, carnality (Prov. xxx :2 ; Ps. lxxiii :22).
3. Men in general are called beasts for their earthliness, ignorance, unteachableness, conten tion, hurtfulness to one another (Eccl. iii:t8).
4. The most useful and mild animals, as oxen, cows, calves, sheep, lambs, doves, are emblems of the saints ; whilst lions, bears, wolves, serpents, are made emblems of the outrageously wicked (Isa. xi:6, 7, 8).
5. The most powerful animals, as eagles, lions, bullocks, he-goats, rams, leviathan, etc., are made emblems of kings and others. who are powerful and wealthy. The subjects of the kings of Assyria, Chaldea and Egypt are parabolically represented as beasts lodged under the shadow of their protection, as animals under a tree (Ezek. xxxi:6: Dan. iv:I.1)• 6. Wicked men are called beasts for their un reasonableness, earthly mindedness, neglect of eternal things, and rage against God and his peo ple (1 Cor. xv :32 ; 2 Pet. ii :12).
7. Beasts of the earth sometimes denote raven ous beasts (Gen. xv:3).
8. The Chaldean, Persian, Grecian, Roman and anti Christian empires are likened to beasts, be cattle by methods cruel and unjust they have been erected and maintained (Dan. vii:t ; V111:4 ; Rev. xii, xiii, xvii, xviii).
9. The scarlet-colored beast that carries the Antichrist is the hloody empire of Rome, parted among persecuting princes I Rev. xvii :3 ).
10. The beasts that devour Antichrist's slaugh tered troops are not only those literally so called, but the Protestants who seize on their spoils ( Rev. xix :17, 23).
11. The Hebrews' passage through the Red Sea and wilderness is likened to a beast going down into or along a valley ; it was easy and safe under the protecting influence of God ( Is. lxiii I Brown, Bib. Did.)
BEATITUDE (1.3-5.er-tad).
The word 'beatitude' does not occur in the Eng lish Bible. In Biblical Theology it signifies either (1) the joys of heaven, or (2) one of the declara tions of blessedness made by Christ as attached to certain virtues, or conditions, or persons. The name is commonly given to the first clauses of our Savior's Sermon on the Mount (Matt. v:3-11).
'I hey are as lullows: 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
4 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy:.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
7 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
8. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you. and persecute yau, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
The eight beatitudes may be regarded as an analysis of perfect spiritual wellbeing ; and no where in non-Christian literature shall we find so sublime a summary of the hest elements in the felicity attainable by man. They correct all low and carnal views of human happiness.
"They do not describe eight different classes of people, but eight different elements of excellence. which may all be combined in one and the same man Sonic of them, indeed. are almost certain to be so combined. e. g. being poor in spirit with meekness, and endurance of persecution with mourning. And perhaps it is not untrue to say with Amhrose that the four given by St. Luke virtually include the whole eight: but to make each of the four correspond to one of the four cardinal virtues is to force the meaning of one or the other." (A. Plummer, fastings' Bib. Diet.)